Budget deal cuts high speed rail funds

Charles J. Lewis, Hearst Newspapers

Published 8:40 pm, Thursday, April 14, 2011

WASHINGTON -- The budget deal sailing through Congress on Thursday chopped $400 million in U.S. spending for high-speed rail this fiscal year and could clip Connecticut's chances for a piece of the remaining $2 billion.

Connecticut and 23 other states have 98 applications pending for the remaining $2 billion. The money became available after Florida rejected $2.4 billion for a high-speed rail line linking Orlando and Tampa because its governor contended that the state would be saddled with cost overruns in the future.

Ray LaHood, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, then announced that other states could apply for the funds turned down by Florida.

Connecticut has asked for $227 million to upgrade the 25-mile Amtrak-owned rail line between New Haven and Hartford and Springfield, Mass. Improvements would enable Amtrak trains to increase their top speed to 110 mph from 79 mph.

The cut in funding for high speed rail was part of the $38 billion package of spending cuts worked out last week to avoid a government shutdown. Congress is expected to approve the deal Thursday and send it to Obama for his signature.

Addressing the drive in Congress to cut federal spending, Judd Everhart, spokesman for the Connecticut Department of Transportation, said, "Although the pool is now somewhat smaller, we remain optimistic about our chances of having our application approved. We know the competition will be tough . . . but we feel the robust application we filed stands on its merits. We expect to hear something in another month or so."